László Rajk Jr. facts for kids
László Rajk Jr. (born January 26, 1949, in Budapest – died September 11, 2019) was a Hungarian architect, designer, and political activist. He was known for his creative work and for standing up for freedom in Hungary during a time when it was difficult to do so.
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His Life and Work
As an architect, László Rajk Jr. joined the Hungarian avant-garde movement. This meant he explored new and experimental ideas in art and design.
From 1975, he became part of the Democratic Opposition. This was a secret political movement in Hungary that worked against the government of the time. Because of his involvement, the government "blacklisted" him from 1980. This meant he was not allowed to work openly under his own name.
In 1981, he started an independent, secret publishing house called AB Publishing House with Gábor Demszky. Demszky later became the Mayor of Budapest. Rajk Jr. also ran a hidden bookstore from his apartment called "Samizdat Boutique." Here, he sold books and materials that the government did not approve of.
In 1988, he helped create the Network of Free Initiatives. He also co-founded a liberal political party called the Alliance of Free Democrats. After free elections in 1990, he served in the Hungarian Parliament for six years.
Later in his life, he worked as an architect and a production designer for films. He also taught film architecture at the Hungarian Film Academy in Budapest. He was married to Judit Rajk starting in 1991.
Standing Up for Freedom
László Rajk Jr. was the son of László Rajk, a well-known Hungarian foreign minister who was a victim of a famous "show trial." A show trial is a public trial where the outcome is already decided, usually for political reasons.
Rajk Jr. became famous in his own right for his political activities against the government. He bravely spoke out and acted against the ruling system.
Awards and Recognition
In 1999, France honored him as a Chevalier in the National Order of Merit. This is a high award given for distinguished achievements.
His Creative Projects
László Rajk Jr. designed many buildings and also created sets for films.
Buildings He Designed
- 1981: KÉV Siófok factory building
- 1984: Studio space at Mihály Károlyi institute in Vence (with Gábor Bachman and Bálint Nagy)
- 1989: Installation for Imre Nagy and the heroes of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution at a new cemetery (with Gabor Bachman)
- 1995: Interior work for Budapest Studio K Theatre
- 1996: Interior reconstruction of Budapest Corvin cinema
- 1998: Reconstruction of Viennese Collegium Hungaricum (with János Balázs & Írisz Borsos)
- 1999: Directorate and restoration center for the Aquincum Museum
- 1999: Reconstruction of Budapest Moulin Rouge
- 2002: Lehel Csarnok hall (
)
Lehel Market in Budapest - 2004: Reconstruction and Hungarian exhibition in cell block 18 at Auschwitz-Birkenau museum
- 2004: Reconstruction of a classicist building in Budapest
- 2004: Restoration workshops and research center at Aquincum Museum
- 2006: Veszprém 1956 memorial park and monument
- 2006: New interior for Studio K theatre
- 2007: New building for the Aquincum museum
Film Sets He Created
László Rajk Jr. had over 25 years of experience building film sets for movies and documentaries from Hungary and around the world. Some of his notable works include:
- 2015: Son of Saul by Laszlo Nemes
- 2006: The Company by Mikael Salomon
- 2002: Dracula by Roger Young
- 2000: Prince and the Pauper by Giles Foster
- 2000: A leghidegebb éjszaka by Gothár Péter
- 1998: Crime and Punishment by Joseph Sargent
- 1997: When Trumpets Fade by John Irvin
- 1992: Latcho Drom by Tony Gatlif
- 1989: Music Box by Costa Gavras
- 1988: Red Heat by Walter Hill
- 1988: Forced March by Rick King
- 1987: Miss Arizona by Sándor Pál (with Gabor Bachman)
See also
In Spanish: László Rajk (arquitecto) para niños
